TULUNGAGUNG, EAST JAVA —– Tourism is a sector that can be developed as a potential industry to develop regional potential. Tourism also has a major impact on the development and progress of a region. The growth of the tourism sector will open up job opportunities and business opportunities. Increased business and government revenue will encourage related sectors to develop further. Dompet Dhuafa East Java Branch has seized this opportunity, specifically in Bono Village, Boyolangu District, Tulungagung Regency, East Java, where the potential for star fruit agrotourism is growing. Almost every holiday, this place is always visited by local and out-of-town tourists.
“Every week, the demand for star fruit products here is approximately 1 (one) ton, and between 4 and 5 (five) tons per month. To date, the Arta Mandiri farmer group still has a shortage. Let alone marketing outside the region or to supermarkets, there is still a shortage for visitors here alone. In the Boyolangu area, there are approximately 3,596 trees, nearly 50% of which are not well-managed, or neglected. They are only used as animal feed, which is such a waste, Sir,” explained Udin, a starfruit farmer in Tulungagung.
Based on these potentialities and problems, Dompet Dhuafa is present in the Tulungagung area. On Tuesday (6/21/2022), the East Java Branch of Dompet Dhuafa launched the Empowered Star Fruit Farmers program in Bono Village, Boyolangu District, Tulungagung Regency, East Java. The goal of this program is to increase star fruit production and enable participating farmers to earn additional income from star fruit cultivation. The program launch was also attended by Muhammad Mujamil (57), the head of Bono Village.
“We are starting the program by assisting 10 farmers as beneficiaries of the program with a total land area of approximately 2,940 m² and 330 starfruit trees. The farmers assisted by Dompet Dhuafa are not starting cultivation from scratch, but rather improving the condition of plants that are currently not well managed. So, together with practitioners and star fruit cultivation experts, we are assisting the farmers in strengthening their potential again,” said Kholid Abdillah, Head of the East Java Branch of Dompet Dhuafa.
In line with Kholid, Arifin (42), one of the farmers, said, “Look, sir, if a healthy starfruit tree is cut, it will produce fruit, but if a sick starfruit tree is cut, it will produce fruit. God willing, the target of three months can be achieved. Hopefully, the harvest will be able to reach one ton. (Dompet Dhuafa / PR)